On Day Four of his Dialogue With The People Tour, President Jammeh commissioned two new ferries named Soma and Farafenni for Yelli-Tenda – Bamba- Tenda trans-Gambia crossing worth over D200 million.

Commissioning the ferries at Yelli-Tenda yesterday, President Jammeh said the lack of good ferries for the Yelli-Tenda and Bamba-Tenda was for long been a general out cry by the people of Farafenni and Soma. "As far as sea transportation is concern, the safety of the Gambian citizenry is prime on my agenda. Now buying a ferry is one thing and maintaining it is another thing. Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) if you want the ferries to last long, you should adopt a maintenance culture which is a problem in The Gambia". Jammeh urged the GPA staff to work with clean heart in the interest of The Gambian People.

For his part, Yankuba Touray the SOS for Agriculture and the APRC National Mobilizer said Yelli-Tenda and Bamba-Tenda Ferry crossing is an income generating post. In no distance future the 47 million Euro Trans-Gambia road constructions will start. Before the end of September, Soma and Farafenni will have 24 hours electricity.

Speaking on behalf of his SoS, Lamin Sanneh permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Works and Infrastructure said the acquisition of the two ferries is significant in the implementation of the national transportation policy.

As an international gateway that bridges Northern and Southern Senegal, the increase in capacity will translate into increased trade, quicker turn around time for vehicular traffic and the speedy transportation of agricultural produce particularly perishable items, he said

Also speaking earlier on, Momodou Lamin Gibba the Managing Director of the GPA said the two Ferries will boost the capacity of the GPA Ferry services. Mr. Gibba added that the availability of the two ferries will reduce the waiting time for vehicles to cross either way.